Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles
Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles, released May, 9th 2019, is an American documentary film about the creation and significance of the 1964 musical Fiddler on the Roof. Directed by Max Lewkowicz, it features interviews with Fiddler creators such as Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick, Joseph Stein, and Harold Prince, as well as scholars, actors, and other musical theatre figures such as Stephen Sondheim and Lin-Manuel Miranda.The documentary includes rarely-seen footage of the original Broadway cast as well as interviews with creators, actors, theatrical figures, and scholars.[1][2]
This film is dedicated to the memory of Harold Prince, who died during production.
Synopsis
Through the presentation of first-hand accounts, archival footage, and analysis by scholars and prominent musical theater figures, Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles explores the creative process and cultural significance of the Broadway musical Fiddler on the Roof. First-hand accounts chronicle the personalities of the original Broadway cast and creators. Scholars examine the play's themes of xenophobia, gender equality, civil rights, and religion. These themes are used to contextualize the musical and its cultural impact within the lens of 1960s New York. Jewish actors discuss the play's impact on their identity. Interviews with productions from around the world demonstrate the universal appeal and international legacy of the play.
Creative Team
- Max Lewkowicz- Director/ Screenplay
- Valerie Thomas - Screenplay
- Tess Martin - Animation
- Joseph Borruso - Editor
- Jan Lisa Huttner - Story Consultant
- Alisa Solomon - Story Consultant
Interviewees
Creators
- Harold Prince - producer of the original show
- Jerry Bock - composer
- Joseph Stein - book writer
- Sheldon Harnick - lyricist
Family
- Harry Stein
- Josh Mostel - son of Zero Mostel, the original Tevye
- Marc Aronson
- Michael Bernardi - son of Tevye replacement Herschel Bernardi, understudied Tevye in the 2015 Broadway revival
Original Cast (1964)
- Austin Pendleton - the original Motel
- Joanna Merlin - the original Tzeitel
Film Adaptation (1971)
- Chaim Topol - portrayed Tevye in the West End and in the film
- Itzhak Perlman
- Norman Jewison - director of the film
- Rosalind Harris - portrayed Tzeitel in the film
Broadway Revival (2004)
- Harvey Fierstein - Tevye replacement in the 2004 Broadway revival
Broadway Revival (2015)
- Adam Kantor - portrayed Motel in the 2015 Broadway revival
- Alexandra Silber - portrayed Tzeitel in the 2015 Broadway revival
- Bartlett Sher - director of the 2015 Broadway revival
- Danny Burstein - portrayed Tevye in the 2015 Broadway revival
- Jessica Hecht - portrayed Golde in the 2015 Broadway revival
- Kelly Hall-Tompkins - concertmistress/soloist of the 2015 Broadway revival
- Melanie Moore - portrayed Chava in the 2015 Broadway revival
- Ted Sperling - music director/conductor of the 2015 Broadway revival
Yiddish Fiddler (2018)
- Joel Grey - director of the 2018 Yiddish production
- Steven Skybell - portrayed Tevye in the 2018 Yiddish production
Additional Contributors
- Alisa Solomon - story consultant
- Amanda Vaill
- Charles Isherwood
- Fran Leibowitz
- Jan Lisa Huttner - story consultant
- Jeremy Dauber
- Lin-Manuel Miranda
- Stephen Sondheim
- Nathan Englander
- Ted Chapin
Reception
Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles received critical acclaim. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 98% approval rating, based on 44 reviews, with an average rating of 7.50/10. The website's consensus reads, "Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles takes a delightfully engaging look at the history of a beloved musical and its deep cultural impact."[3] On Metacritic, it has a score of 80 out of 100, based on 11 critics.[4]
Awards
On December 16, 2019, Max Lewkowicz was nominated for a Special Citation for Independent Cinema Award at the 18th annual San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle Awards for Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles
References
- BWW News Desk (2019-03-20). "FIDDLER Doc Coming This Summer with Sheldon Harnick, Hal Prince, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Original Cast Members". Broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 2019-09-23.
- BroadwayWorld TV (2019-08-12). "BWW Exclusive: First Look At FIDDLER: A MIRACLE OF MIRACLES Documentary". Broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 2019-09-23.
- Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles at Rotten Tomatoes
- Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles at Metacritic